February 13, 2011

Making Service Personal Weekly Reflection

“You will hear of wars and reports of wars; see that you are not alarmed, for these things must happen, but it will not yet be the end.Nations will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be famines and earthquakes from place to place. All these are the beginning of the labor pains.”

– Matthew 24:6-8 –

The media is full of reports of turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa. Uprisings have rocked the governments of Egypt, Tunisia, and Jordan. Angry crowds are protesting in Lebanon, Syria, Algeria, and Yemen. South Sudan has voted to secede from Sudan, and demonstrations have broken out in the capital city of Khartoum.

There were wars and violence long before the time of Jesus and turmoil has continued from the time of Jesus right on up to today. Jesus spoke that wars, violence, famines, and earthquakes would be signs for the end of this age and the time that He would be coming back. We have all seen or heard about some or all these signs, does this mean the end of the world is right around the corner? There are only two answers to this question that we can know for sure.

1.) We don’t know when the end of the earth will be.

2.) We don’t have to be worried about the end if we are on the side of Jesus.

If we truly live as if we don’t know when Jesus is coming back and we want to be ready, then we will live our whole life always trying to be ready, because He could be back at any moment. Secondly, if we have given our life to Jesus Christ and entrusted everything we are to Him, then we have no need to be alarmed when we hear of wars and famines. However your life here on earth ends, Heaven will be your reward.

Nevertheless, this time of turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa is a critical time of unrest and uncertainty, and as Christians we need to join together in prayer for this volatile region.

Also if we don't know how much time we have left - this should encourage us to make the most of the time we have to give and to serve others. We become fully human when we serve and give of ourselves in love and generosity.

Taking it to the Streets Action Point:

Do you believe that Jesus could be back at any moment?

- If so are you ready for His return?

- If you aren't ready what must you do to be ready?

-Go out of your way this week to serve or volunteer in some way, while you still have life and the ability to serve.